Gabe Lewis certainly ranks pretty high on the best late additions to The Office. When he ed up with Kathy Bates' Jo Bennet, Dunder Mifflin got their very own weirdo. And that's the best way to describe Gabe, between his fascination for all things Asian culture, to his complete brown-nosing of Robert California.
Gabe has his moments, though. Moments where he is truly hilarious. Everybody re him dres as Lady Gaga for Halloween, or his "Shut up about the sun!" tirade. These are the marquee Gabe moments. This list is dedicated to the subtler moments that might have gotten missed.
The Skeleton Crew
Another Halloween gem, as The Office holiday specials often are. In Robert California's only Halloween in charge, he delivers with his comprehensive "Fear" story that united the office. Jim and Pam argue about the existence of ghosts, we need Burt, Robert's son and Gabe eavesdrops his way into a costume.
When Robert goes back to the annex to visit, he finds them all dressed up as the skeleton crew. Robert asks if they all planned this, Kelly say, "Well, Toby and I did, yeah."To which Gabe says, "And I overheard, and thought, hey, that’d be fun, don’t mind if I do."
Soundscapes with Andy
During Gabe and Erin's awful relationship, Gabe decides to host a Glee party for everyone in the office. While Michael Scott is attempting to derail the party for his own reasons, Andy is attempting to win Erin back. One method he chooses is to eat an entire powdered seahorse, which of course Gabe keeps in his house.
While Andy throws up in the bathroom, Gabe comes to help with his miniature keyboard. He plays "soundscapes" which is exactly as it sounds, and drives Andy into even more vomiting.
Ex-Couples Meeting
The final season of the Office is often overlooked in general, because it is really hit and miss. But one thing that can't be missed is when Gabe returns in Andy's attempt to make things uncomfortable for Erin and Pete.
From the moment Gabe returns and likens his buttocks to a warm pumpkin, it's clear that he's in peak form. Highlights include not having the lung capacity to blow a whistle and getting a Nike swoosh tattoo for Erin. The whole thing is brilliant.
The Second Coat
Andy's ill-fated Garden Party was ripe with laughs, but one that happens all too fast is when Robert California its to being cold (his body is in tune with the temperature in Southern Italy, after all).
Ryan quickly gives Robert his jacket. Gabe, never wanting to be outdone, takes off his jacket and puts it on Robert, on top of Ryan's jacket. Meanwhile, Kelly shivers in the background. Chivalry isn't dead, it's just synonymous with sucking up.
I'll Stay Even Longer Than You Want
Gabe and Ryan spend the entire eighth season trying to get on Robert California's good side. Both were deemed "losers" by Robert on his first day, so both have a lot of work to do to make up ground.
When Robert has a party at his soon-to-be-sold house, Ryan offers to stay as long as Robert wants the party to go on. Gabe, again not wanting to be outdone, offers to stay even longer than Robert wants.
Happy Birthday to Gabe
Probably the quickest moment on this list, so it's easy to miss. As the office is gathered in the conference room, waiting for Andy's "surprise guest," Gabe walks in with a small cupcake and candle, as well as a party hat, making him look like a goof already.
He says, "Happy Birthday to Gabe!" Nellie immediately tells him to get lost and he flees past the windows. It's quick, but Netflix has that rewind 10 seconds button for a reason.
Pelvic Bowl
When Dwight purchases the building, he decides to open a gym with Darryl's help. While it's initially a horrible place, as can be expected, it eventually shapes up and more people from the office start checking it out.
Gabe comes to look, is impressed by Darryl ing, and sees Dwight, on the ground, doing pelvic bowls. In true Gabe fashion, he comments, "Nice pelvic bowl. Deep." Because of course, Gabe is an expert in the pelvic bowl stretch.
Abraham Lincoln
Andy had a lot of... off-kilter ideas as manager. One idea was to take a field trip to Gettysburg that only about half of his employees go along with. Gabe is one. However, Gabe doesn't get to go on Andy's awful tour of the battlegrounds. Because Gabe is mistaken as the actor playing Abraham Lincoln at the small amphitheater.
Rather than walk away, Gabe dons the hat and goes right into the story of Abraham Lincoln, which earns rapturous applause by the end of the episode.
Crying? Who's Crying?
While Andy's break-up with Erin was incredibly messy, Gabe might have topped it in the messy category all on his own. But it did lead to one outstanding moment that didn't even need any words.
After speaking (and crying, a lot) with Andy in the conference room, trying to convince him to never get back with Erin, Gabe realizes he will have to go past everyone in the office as he leaves the room. To cover-up that he's been crying he puts on this tremendous face that is one of the most underrated moments of all time.
Bootcut
The best Gabe moment, and also one that sneaks in under the radar far too often. While in Florida helping Sabre retail, Dwight and Todd Packer are competing for Nellie's VP nomination. Dwight, called away to help Jim with bedbugs named Kathy, puts Gabe in charge of keeping Todd away from Nellie.
Gabe does his job, but Todd gets sick and ends up puking right on poor Gabe, sitting alone at the bar. In a rage, Gabe stands up and exclaims, "They don't make these cords in bootcut anymore." And then he storms off, his bootcuts flapping.